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Kinpira Renkon (Lotus Root)
Crisp yet tender with bursts of sweet and savory flavors, Kinpira Renkon, or Japanese Lotus Root Stir Fry, is a classic home-cooked side dish.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 (as
Calories: 102 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
- 8 oz lotus root (renkon) (3 inches, 7.6 cm)
- 1 cup water (for soaking the lotus root)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned) (for soaking the lotus root)
- 1 dried red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
For the Seasonings
- 1 Tbsp sake
- 1 Tbsp mirin
- ½ Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for GF)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Peel 8 oz lotus root (renkon) and cut in half lengthwise.
- Thinly slice the lotus root. In a bowl, add 1 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned) and 1 cup water.
- Soak the sliced lotus root in the vinegared water for 3–5 minutes to prevent discoloration. Then, drain the water well.
- Cut the end of 1 dried red chili pepper to remove the seeds, then thinly slice into rounds. If you want this dish to be spicy, keep the seeds.
- In a large frying pan, heat 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil on medium heat and add the lotus root to stir-fry.
- Once the lotus root is almost translucent (80% cooked), add 1 Tbsp sake, 1 Tbsp mirin, and ½ Tbsp sugar. Let the alcohol evaporate (until there‘s no more alcohol smell).
- Add in the red chili pepper and 1 Tbsp soy sauce and stir to combine. We add the soy sauce last, as it can burn easily.
- When the liquid is almost gone, add ½ Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds and toss all together. Serve hot, lukewarm, or chilled. You can store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
102kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Sodium
263mg
(11%)
Potassium
323mg
(9%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
33IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
25mg
(28%)
Calcium
36mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4(as
Amount Per Serving
Calories 102
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 102kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 263mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 323mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 33IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 25mg | 28% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.